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it isn't easy to understand from the records of the inquiry what the villagers reaction was to Menocchio's words.
it's clear that no one was willing to admit to having listened approvingly to the talk of a suspected heretic.
In fact one of them went so far as to tell the vicar general who was conducting the inquest of his own indignant reaction: "Menocchio, please for the love of god do not say such things!" Domenico Melchiori claimed to have exclaimed.
And Giuliano Stefanut testified: "I told him many time and espeecially on our way to Grizo, that i am fond of him but i cannot stand his talking about things that concern the faith, because i would always fight with him, and if he killed me a hundred times and i returned to life, i should die for the faith again.
The priest Andrea Bionima even uttered a veiled threat: Be still domenego, do not say such things, because one day you may regret it.
Another witness Giovanni povoledo, addressing the vicar general ventured to pin a label on Menocchio, however vague: He has a bad reputation he has evil ideas like those of sect of Luther.
But this chorus of voices shouldn't mislead us.